Weekend Top 6 Picks for December 14 and 15, 2019

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Saturday December 14, 2019

9am to 3pm Free. Holiday Amaryllis Festival. Nehrling Gardens, 2267 Hempel Ave, Gotha, FL 34734. Pictures on the porch with Santa and Mrs Claus. Hybrid Amaryllis Bulbs and blooms. Nature themed vendors. Eco activities for kids.

6:30pm to 8:30pm Free. 7th Annual “Violectric Holiday Show”. Walt Disney Amphitheatre at Lake Eola Park located at 99 N Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, Florida. Following
another electrifying year of performances alongside legends like Wayne
Newton, Lady Gaga, Tim Burton, Morgan Freeman and Emeril Lagasse,
renowned “Vinylinist” and Founder of “Violectric” Michelle Jones will
join the talented musicians of the Central Florida strings. Free and open to the
public, the LIVE concert, presented by the City of Orlando Department of
Families, Parks and Recreation, will feature traditional holiday songs
like, “O Christmas Tree,” “The First Noel” and “Hanukkah, O Hanukkah”
mashed up with classic rock tunes and modern hits like “Born to Run,”
“Heroes” and “Sweet Dreams,” delivering a fun-filled, energetic and
highly-unique holiday show unlike anything seen and heard before.  Plus,
Violectric has teamed up again with Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando for
the pet-friendly show.  Attendees are encouraged to bring their pets, a
pet supply or make a donation to Pet Alliance.  View Pet Alliance “Wish
List” at https://petallianceorlando.org/ways-give/wish-list/.  

7:30pm to 9:30pm $50 Premium Seating (seating in front and center sections – Floor 2, Floor 3 and Floor 4 – and some CFCArts merchandise), $25 Premium Seating (seating in front and center sections – Floor 2, Floor 3 and Floor 4), $15 Prime Seating (seating in the center floor or center balcony – Floor 7, 8 and 9 and  Balcony 5) $10 Advance Standard Reserved Seating, $15 At-Door Standard Reserved Seating, Children 3 and under free. Tis the Season: A Holiday Extravaganza! Northland Church, 530 Dog Track Rd, Longwood, FL 32750. This joyous holiday concert will have
you dashing into the most wonderful time of the year! Enjoy your
favorite holiday classics like “O Holy Night”, and “Deck the Halls”
while rocking around the Christmas Tree to some modern holiday hits!

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Sunday December 15, 2019

9am to 11am $10 for Guests, $5 for Mennello Museum Members. Yoga in the Mennello Museum Sculpture Garden.  Mennello Museum of American Art 900 E Princeton St, Orlando, Florida 32803. Fall is in the air and The last Sunday of every month is Yoga in the Sculpture Garden at Mennello Museum of American Art!
Start your Sunday morning out blissfully with a relaxing lakeside flow.
Practice is suitable for beginner to moderate levels and will be led by
certified instructors from Full Circle Yoga, Winter Park. Don’t forget
to bring your own mat and water to practice.
Learn more about becoming a museum member » mennellomuseum.org/support.

Your
practice also includes a complimentary pass to enjoy the museum’s
indoor exhibitions at your own leisure during our operating hours.

Full Circle Yoga Instructor: Sarabeth Jackson.

10am to Noon. Free. Heartfulness Relaxation and Meditation Class. University, 5200 Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32811. The Method of Heartfulness A simple and practical way to experience the heart’s unlimited resources. 

Noon to 3pm Donation based. Music at the Casa. Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum, 656 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789. Members
of the public are invited to visit our historic home museum on a Sunday
afternoon to listen to live music and take a tour of our historic home
museum and the James Gamble Rogers II Studio by trained docents. 

Corsets and Cuties

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Corsets and Cuties has found a new home in Theater West End (115 West 1st St., Sanford, Florida 32771). Their next performance is Saturday, March 23, 2019 doors open at 9pm, and the showtime is at 10pm. Tickets are $18. A little song, a little dance, maybe a Cutie in your lap. Unexpected fun and surprises await!>
Lovely ladies and some not-so-gentle men sing, dance, and take their clothes off all for your entertainment pleasure! Whether you’re celebrating with the one you love or out on the prowl, the Cuties are ready for ya! Guest stars, and special treats their sponsor Premier Couples Superstore – you can be sure of a fantastic night out!
Seating is general admission, and first-come, first-served basis.

Bring your sense of humor, appetite for adventure – and dollar bills, y’all!

NOTE: The show is intended for adult audiences, as it contains adult content and nudity. 
This sketch was done at the Venue when Violectric joined the troupe offering some amazing live violin music. Violectric is now performing out in Las Vegas with Wayne Newton.

The event is 18 and up. And 21 and up to drink, of course!

“Violectric Rocks OCSA” Benefit Concert For Osceola County School.

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Violectric, the internationally acclaimed electric rock string quintet, plus keys and drums, rocked for a cause and performed a special benefit concert put on by the Thespian Troupe #6640 of the Osceola County School for the Arts in an effort to help them raise funds to be able to attend their annual state conference held in Tampa, FL. I went to the Osceola Performing Arts Center, (3151 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Kissimmee, 34744) to sketch the benefit concert. All proceeds raised from the show went directly to the students for the student trip.

Five years ago, Violectric hosted a workshop and concert at Osceola
County School for the Arts and one of the violin students named Mohammed
took a special interest in the emotions evoked during their
performance. While at the mere age of 11-years-old, Mohammed Kahn had a
fire lit beneath him and he began diligently working towards his goal.
Now, years later, he is using all that he learned during Violectric’s
workshop and his passion for show production to host the benefit show.

Formed in 2008, the accomplished members of Violectric have been
performing in various groups, orchestras and together for over 20 years
across the globe. Led by esteemed musician, violinist,  Michelle Jones, the group is a unique fusion of the passion and beauty of classical
string instruments with the excitement of cutting-edge modern technology
and effects. They are committed
to music education offering programs throughout the United States and
Asia including master classes and performances combining their unique sounds with
student string groups, which they produce in partnership with
the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and School for the Arts as their artists in residence. 

Weekend Top 6 Picks for December 9th and 10th.

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Saturday December 9, 2017

11 AM to 5 PM – Free.  Santa Con 2017! (Thornton Park District, 617 E Central Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32801).  Santa Con is celebrated all over the country and is simply a gathering of
people dressed as Santa that go as a group from restaurant and bars
celebrating the Holiday Season with some tasty adult libations!

This year they are again encouraging participants to bring musical
instruments, Example: Tambourines, Harmonicas, Guitars what ever you
have to bang, play on, and make some joyous noise!

5:30 PM to 7:30 PM – $10.  Orlando Cringe IX – The Holiday Show.  (SAK Comedy Lab, 29 S Orange, Orlando, FL 32801).  For their last show of 2017, they’re teaming up with SAK Comedy Lab for a
very special Cringemas Show! They’ll be bringing back a very special
reader from Cringe and SAK’s amazing team will be performing
improvised scenes completely based on their personal journals. They also have other surprises, so naughty or nice, it’s going to be a
great show!

7 PM to 9 PM – Free.  The 5th Annual “Violectric Holiday Show.”  (Walt Disney Amphitheatre at Lake Eola Park, 99 N Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801). Rock Into The Holiday Season with Violectric, Central Florida’s Top Strings Rock Group.   This is a fun and free LIVE concert featuring classic holiday tunes with a twist and more.

Bring a pet supply, donation and your furry friend to support Pet
Alliance of Greater Orlando.

Sunday December 10, 2017

11 AM to 5 PM – Free.  Day 2 of Santa Con. (Thornton Park District 617 E Central Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32801).   Santa Con is celebrated all over the country and is simply a gathering of
people dressed as Santa that go as a group from restaurant and bars
celebrating the holiday season with some tasty adult libations!  This year we are again encouraging participants to bring musical
instruments, Example: Tambourines, harmonicas, guitars what ever you
have to bang, play on, and make some joyous noise!

7:30 PM to 9:30 PM – $30.   An Evening with Anna Deavere Smith.  (Orlando Shakespeare Theater, 812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803).  Best known to television audiences as Nancy McNally on The West Wing and Gloria Akalitus on Nurse Jackie, Anna Deavere Smith’s theater work has become an inspirational source for civil discourse. Through a short performance and interview, audiences will hear about the process of combining a passion for social causes with documentary style theatre making.  Ms. Smith seeks to “discern the American character and to capture its politics.” The discussion will focus on how she finds the authentic voice of the people she interviews and then creates on stage.

7:30 PM to 9:30 PM – Free.  A Picture Perfect Christmas.  (Maitland Presbyterian Church, 341 N Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751).  Performing Arts of Maitland sponsors the Maitland Symphony Orchestra’s
Holiday Concert: “A Picture Perfect Christmas”. Guest performer Joshua
Messick is a National Hammered Dulcimer Champion performing premier
selections with the MSO: “The First Snowfall” and “Blue Ridge Sunrise”.
MSO also performs “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” by Jessel, “Maltese
Winter” by Hayen and more.

Passion PR Five-Year Anniversary Bash!

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I went with Pam Schwartz to Gilt Nightclub (740 Bennett Rd, Orlando, Florida 32803) for the Passion PR Five Year Anniversary Bash. Ilene Lieber who runs Passion PR has always been great about helping me promote events.

The evening promised to be an Explosion of Live Entertainment All Night. There were complimentary cocktails and light bites from 7 pm to 8 pm, photo opportunities, swag bags, DJ music and more. Celebrity look alikes were everywhere. Mariah Carey got on stage and did an admirable lip sync performance. Austin Powers worked his smarmy British charm on all the ladies.

I decided to sketch the poker table. Pam kept winning and placed some huge bets that brought back amazing returns. I took her place when she went to the bathroom and kept loosing. The guy next to Pam had a few too many drinks and was boisterous and a bit obnoxious each time he won a hand. Michelle Jones who founded the Violectric String band was also on a winning streak. There really wasn’t any payout for winning (other than Mardi Gras beads and candy), so there was no harm in taking chances. When it was time to go, Pam tried to bet all her chips and loose but she kept winning, stacking up a mountain of chips. All the money earned at the event went towards supporting Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando.

Pulse: One Year Later.

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On June 12th one year ago 49 people lost their lives in a horrific attack by a gunman at Pulse Nightclub. June 12th people gathered a Pulse for Reflections and Remembrance. Throughout the day, members of the community visited to honor the legacies of the 49 victims, their families and the survivors. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., there was be a ceremony including various community speakers, reflective prayers, a reading of the 49 names, a display of 49 wreaths and music by Violectric. The Inspiration Orlando mural, our Angel Force, Hang-a-Heart, Stars of Hope and comfort dogs were present.

It was raining just enough to make sketching difficult. Watercolor and rain aren’t a great combination. The first thing I saw when approaching Pulse was the huge Inspiration Orlando Mural. 6 foot high marine grade boards were mounted on a large sheet of plywood and supported in back by 2 by 4s nailed as braces. At the Mural, a victim’s father was animatedly talking to Michael Pilato the artist. The father was upset that his daughter’s partner was depicted large on the mural. Another father had refused to bury his son. A daughter eventually stepped in to take on the responsibility. When it came time to collect the money raised for families however, the father was happy to take the money.

As I did this sketch, I was offered water and You Matter cards multiple times. Someone even offered MacDonald’s hamburgers and I kind of regretted not taking one. A mom had her daughter dressed in a bright rainbow tutu and they paraded around the site. A young girl across from me, wearing a rainbow cape,  was giving out free hugs. A reporter set up his TV camera and started asking  her questions. “We will not let hate win” was emblazoned on multiple posters and banners. 

While driving away, I passed a hate monger in front of the auto detailing shop next to Pulse. He was surrounded by people who were getting upset. They shouted Love will overcome hate loud enough to drown out his hate filled chants. Police were on hand and I was told that he toughed a policeman which is interpreted as an assault. 5 policemen wrestled the man to the ground while people shouted their message of love delivered with anger. It was a shame that the Angel Force had left because they could have surrounded the man.

I felt a bit depressed since it felt like most people were here looking for some form of attention or acknowledgment. Was I any different? Will these sketches ever serve a purpose? I was just growing frustrated and annoyed that the rain was making my job near impossible. I pushed through regardless. Any blotches and blemishes are all part of the story of creation.

Violectric at Lake Eola.

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The popular electric string quintet with keyboards and drums known as “Violectric” rang in the holiday season with their exciting annual “Violectric Holiday Show” presented by the City of Orlando Families, Park and Recreation at the Walt Disney Amphitheatre at Lake Eola Park, (99 N Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801). Free and open to the public, the concert featured traditional holiday songs like “Jingle Bells,” “O Christmas Tree” and “Hanukkah, O Hanukkah” mashed up with classic rock tunes like “Kashmir,” “Born to Run” and “Sweet Dreams”, plus modern hits, delivering a fun-filled, energetic, and highly-unique holiday show unlike anything seen and heard before.

Violectric teamed up with Old Forrester who hosted a VIP “Backstage Speakeasy” Pre-Party including a special behind-the-scenes with a band and a “End of Prohibition” After-Party open to all with a cash bar and 1920’s costume contest. Guests were also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to the concert, which would be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

Formed in 2008, the accomplished members of the “Classic Musicians Who Rock!” Violectric have been performing in various groups, orchestras and together for over 20 years across the globe.  Led by Grammy Recording Artist “Vinylinist” Michelle Jones, Violectric is a unique fusion of the passion and beauty of classical string instruments with the excitement of cutting-edge modern technology and effects.  Violectric’s custom arrangements of classic and modern rock tunes like “Billie Jean,” “Go Your Own Way,” “Moves Like Jagger” and “Chandelier” cannot be heard anywhere else.

Violectric has a signature look in that the violins are illuminated by neon. Of course Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance towards the end of the concert. That couple certainly gets around. They have been at just about every holiday event I have sketched.

Violectric Debut Revolutionary LED Instrument Lighting “Violuminescence” at Bite.

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Bite Night, hosted by the Orlando Weekly was held at The Orchid Garden and Ballroom at Church Street in Downtown Orlando from 7pm-10pm on June 29th.   I went to the event specifically to sketch the premiere performance of Violuminence. 

Michelle Jones the founder of Violectric asked her husband, Jerry Jones, the groups technical director to design the diodes along the rims of the instruments which made them glow like souped up Harley Davidson motorcycles. Violuminescence produces unique, lighted string instruments that can be remote controlled to enhance any performance in an unrivaled manner.

When I arrived, the event was just getting started but there were already long lines for food. I immediately started hunting for my sketch opportunity. I ran into Ilene Lieber the groups pleasant and hard working PR representative and she let me know that the Violuminence performance would start at 9pm in front of the DJs table on the main floor. That gave me several hours to sketch in the Orchid Room’s magical turn of the century decor. When Violumenence began, I added color starting with the blue glow of the instruments. The instruments glowed in every color of the rainbow as if celebrating the recent Supreme Court decision allowing everyone to share the rights of marriage.

“We are beyond excited to finally unveil Violuminescence to the public later the month,” said founder of Violectric and Fretless Rock, Michelle Jones.  “This will be the first opportunity for public audiences to experience Violuminescence and revel in this truly spectacular and awe-inspiring musical innovation.  We are known for getting audiences up out of their seats and dancing along with us as we play, and we look forward to blowing away all our loyal fans with Violuminescence and hopefully gaining many more new ones worldwide.”

When the violins performed Journey‘s Don’t Stop Believing, everyone in the room started singing along. “Shadows searching in the night”. It was really a magical moment. The crowd was hooked and I sang along as I sketched. The violinists weren’t passive. They began moving around the room finding their way through the crowd.  By the time my sketch was done, the crowd was starting to thin out. All the food vendors had packed up. Darn it. I hadn’t tasted a bite so I can’t report on how good the food was. Genevieve Bernard and Seth Kubersky told me that the food directly across the room from me was absolutely delicious. I am pleased by the rich warm and cool colors that I could catch with my digital sketch.  For more information on Violectric contact 407-434-1261 and for more information on Fretless Rock by Strings Etc visit their web page.

Violectric Holiday Concert

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On December 20th there was a free concert by Violectric at the Walt Disney Amphitheatre at Lake Eola Park Orlando, Fl. The concert was presented by the City of Orlando Department of Families, Parks and Recreation. I arrived early to block the stage in my sketch before the performance began. As I was sketching, a guy walked up to me to see what I was up to. He leaned in close and got his nose right up to the sketch page. He remarked that my sketch reminded him of Max Ernst, who was a German surrealist painter. The obscure artistic reference made me think he must be an academic. As he waited for the concert to start, he bounced a tennis ball impatiently. When he bounced the ball onto the stage off the drum set, I began to think something was a bit off about him.

Patty Sheehan introduced the group. She asked the audience if they liked the new art in the park and reminded everyone that the park wasn’t always this nice. Violectric played Christmas tunes that they intermingled with rock and roll covers.  Their white dresses sparkled as they walked out. Even their eye shadow had sequins. At one point they gave two children tambourines so they could back up a performance of Jingle bells. Violetric is strictly an instrumental group so they encouraged the audience to sing along. The guy with the tennis ball belted out the lyrics a bit off key and danced in the isle.

Behind me a guy began cursing loudly, saying he hated this town and everyone in it. He eventually sat right behind me. His hair was wild and unkempt as was his beard. He looked a bit like a psychotic Santa. His cigarette made me cough a few times but I kept sketching. I felt him looking over my shoulder and luckily he refrained from cursing at what I was doing. For one song, the performers advised the audience that was singing along, that there were children in the audience, so they should watch what they sang for the next piece which was that song “Forget you“, the original lyrics were “F*ck you!” The guy seated close to me shouted out, “You talkin’ to me?” “You’re so beautiful, I want to marry you.” One of the performers shot back, “Get in line!” Despite the heckling, the performers always kept smiling. They were pros.